AD/DHC-6/39 - Electric Power Cable Below Cockpit - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as a comprehensive legal framework governing civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, addresses a variety of issues related to aircraft operation, maintenance, and safety. One specific area of focus is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure that aircraft meet the required safety standards. For instance, AD/DHC-6/39 pertains to the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes and mandates modifications to the electric power cable below the cockpit to enhance safety. This directive applies to all models with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 135 and requires compliance within the next 100 hours of time in service after 30 August 1974, referencing De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin No. 6/304 Rev. B. The policy objective is to mitigate potential risks associated with the identified safety issue, thereby safeguarding the integrity of civil aviation operations in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) DHC-6/39 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting De Havilland Canada's DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models within the DHC-6 series that have serial numbers ranging from 1 to 135. The directive mandates modifications to the electric power cable below the cockpit, as outlined in De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin No. 6/304 Rev. B, to ensure compliance with safety standards. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within the next 100 hours of time in service following 30 August 1974. The AD is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing its provisions nationwide. The scope of this legislation is limited to the specified DHC-6 series models, with no exclusions or exemptions provided, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the required safety standards. The application of this directive may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), Part 39, specifically section 105, establishes the schedule of airworthiness directives, which include various modifications and compliance requirements for aircraft models. In this case, the regulation AD/DHC-6/39 pertains to De Havilland Canada's Twin Otter series aeroplanes. It mandates a modification to the electric power cable below the cockpit for all models with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 135. The directive requires compliance within the next 100 hours of time in service following the publication date of 30 August 1974, as outlined in De Havilland of Canada's Service Bulletin No. 6/304, Revision B. Under this regulation, the primary obligation falls on the operators and owners of the affected Twin Otter series aeroplanes. They must ensure that the specified modification to the electric power cable below the cockpit is carried out within the stipulated timeframe. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in the referenced service bulletin, which will likely include steps such as inspecting the current cabling setup, replacing or repairing as necessary, and ensuring that all modifications meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance with this regulation are not detailed in the provided text, it is generally understood that breaching airworthiness directives can lead to significant civil or criminal penalties. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges for the operators or owners who fail to meet their obligations under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the non-compliance and any additional circumstances surrounding the breach.